Review by DjBatman
3½ stars out of 4
Shagadelic! Long before Austin Powers, this term would have been perfect
as a definition for Deee-Lite's music. The weirdest trio in the music
world (Lady Miss Kier, Jungle DJ Towa Towa and Super DJ Dmitry) rocked
the charts back in 1990 with their unique psychedelic (or should I say
sampledelic?) touch on dance music. There are some housey-piano powered
tracks with Kier's vocals acting as some Chicago or NY house diva ("Good
beat", "Power of love") but Deee-Lite are at their
best when they practice on an original use of funky breaks and sounds
("Try me on, I'm very you") and some electro inserts
("Groove is in the heart", "Who was that?" ...was
that Herbie Hancock? ;-). Special guests like Bootsy Collins, Fred Wesley,
Maceo Parker and Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest are a nice bonus, and
at some point (again, on "Who was that?") it is clear that
Deee-Lite pioneered the dance style known as "big beat" in
the late 90's.
Here's what others reviewers have to say:
"...Music for dance clubs that still sounds like giddy fun at home,
with the punching-bag beat of house music and the sly sunny vocals of
Kier Kirby..." Rated #10 of the Top 10 Recordings for 1990
New York Times 12/30/90
"...the debut album of the year...an eloquent tableau of 90's
possibilities...This band does not, however, indulge in the common
practice of sampling hooks, their strength is that they can write
`em...Deee-Lite employ these structures to focus their energy and reach
a new dimension...It's a beautiful thing...fabulous..."
Spin 10/90
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